New fencing at the Exeter Showgrounds might keep out wildlife but it’s done nothing to deter dog handlers from entering next month’s Northern Championships Sheepdog Trials.

More than 100 competitors are set to take to the field on December 10 and 11, the most in a decade, and all will benefit from the oval’s new chain mesh fencing and sheep yards which has replaced a 40-year-old pipe and rail fence.

Exeter Show Society president Trevor Clark said 300 voluntary hours, eight Bunnings sausage sizzles and a $7500 federal government grant had been driving factors in the much-needed fence replacement.

“It was old 50 millimetre upright pipe and it was very rusted out with very few gates, but we've completed (the new fence) in the last week, all the way round with 17 gates,” Mr Clark said.

“It’s given the grounds a lift and improved it and it'll make it much more presentable for the sheepdogs, the show and the Exeter markets, so it's been money well spent.”